Gov. David Ige issued an executive order on July 21 transferring control and management of a 1,261-acre parcel in Waiea on Hawaii Island to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.


What You Need To Know

  • The parcel had been proposed as an addition to the Hawaii Natural Area Reserve system

  • Waiea is made up of koa and ohia forests on the western flank of Mauna Loa

  • Its ecosystem includes rare, indigenous birds (including the last observed alala), insects and plants
  • The executive order was one of four Ige signed last week, all dealing with land issues

The parcel had been proposed as an addition to the Hawaii Natural Area Reserve system and is contiguous to other parcels that are under management for forest, wildlife and water conservation in the South Kona area.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife held public hearings on the matter in 2020.

Waiea is made up of koa and ohia forests on the western flank of Mauna Loa. Its ecosystem includes rare, indigenous birds (including the last observed alala), insects and plants.

According to DLNR, Waiea has “distinct seasonality” compared to other forests in the Natural Area Reserve system in that it evolved under a summer wet season; most wet forests in Hawaii evolved in a winter wet season.

The executive order was one of four Ige signed last week, all dealing with land issues.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.